Match-box.



No. 672,456. Patented Apr. 23, l90l.

H. 6. PAUL &. F. HILBIG.

MATCH BOX.

[Ag xplication filed Mar. 3, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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earner FlFll CEi HENRY C. PAUL AND FRANK HILBIG, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

MATCH -BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 672,456, dated Ap1i123,1901.

Application filed March 3, 1900. Serial No. 7,185. (No model.)

' To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY 0. PAUL and FRANK HILBIG, citizens of theUnited States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

Our invention has relation to improvements in match-boxes; and itconsistsin the novel arrangement and combination of parts more fully setforth in the specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of the box, taken in theplane passing through the slit by which the knife-blade of the cutter isreceived, the lid being thrown open. Fig. 2 is a transverse longitudinalsection on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of thecompartment-frame contained in the box. Fig. 4 is an elevation lookingtoward the edge wall through which the corkscrew is swung outwardly.Fig. 5 is a top plan View with the lid removed. Fig. 6 is across-section on line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail of the blockcarrying the corkscrew, with the latter swung outwardly into positionfor use, the block being shown in longitudinal middle section. Fig. 8 isa front view of the block to which the corkscrew is mounted, the latterbeing shown in section,

taken through the base thereof on line 8 8 of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is anelevation looking toward the edge wall, to the upper end of which thelid is pivoted-that is to say, the back of the box.

The object of our invention is to construct a device which whileprimarily subserving the purpose of a match-box can be converted into acorkscrew and cigarcutter, respectively, subserving at the same time thefunction of a toothpick-holder, if desired. The article therefore is acombination-tool in its nature, any feature of the combination beingcapable of being brought into service at a moments notice, the severalmechanical elements entering into the general combination being allconfined within the main matchbox receptacle.

In detail the invention may be described as follows:

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the receptacle of the boxprovided with the usual lid 2. Pivoted at one corner on the end oppositethe lid 2, between the front and rear walls of the receptacle, is aknife-blade 3, the same being adapted to be fully concealed from viewbetween the walls of the receptacle when in its closed position. Formedalong thein ner edge of the blade, to one side of the pivotal pin 4thereof, is a terminal toe or finger 5, from the base of which the edgeof the blade curves, forming a reentrantrecess 6 on the opposite side ofthe pivotal pin, the base of the recess being engaged by the terminaledge of the lateral head 7 of a bent spring 7 for the open position ofthe blade and the base of the finger being engaged by. the head 7 forthe closed position of the blade. The opposite or fixed end of thespring is inserted between the end wall of the receptacle and the wallsof one of the inwardly-formed burs 8 8, punched from the front and rearwalls of the receptacle at the corner, it being understood that theadjacent inner edges of the burs serve as the shearing edges for thecutting edge of the blade for clipping the tips of cigars inserted intothe depression formed by the larger bur8, the fixed end of the spring 7being inserted between this bur and the receptacle-wall in order thatthe blade may descend freely into the space between the shearing edgesof the two burs. When the knife is swung to its open position, thefinger 5 will gradually compress the spring 7', causing the free endthereof to slip along the curved edge beyond the finger, finally forcingthe edge of the head 7 of the spring to enter the recess 6 on theopposite side of the pivotal pin, in which position the parts willremain until the blade is started to close, when the resilience of thespring willcauseit to snap back against the finger and forcibly closethe blade against the cigar inserted, as already stated, and cut off thetip thereof, the tip thus cut dropping out from the opposite bur 8'. Theblade is provided with a small knob 3, by which it may be seized andoperated.

The hinge-pin of the lid 2 iscarried by an arm or tongue 10, which isformed integrally with the receptacle-wall of which it forms a part, outof a strip of the wall metal, which is subsequently folded inwardly backon itself,

therefore, is to limit the swing of the lid out-.

wardly by the hook 12 engaging the shoulder 11 of said tongue. That thelid may close over the tongue the adjacent wall thereof is provided witha recess 14, the walls of which snugly embrace the tongue when the lidis closed, thereby in no wise detracting from the finish of the articlewhen completed.

The receptacle 1 is designed to receive a frame (which may subsequentlybe soldered in place) which consists of an outer divisionwall 15, aninner division-wall 16, both disposed in the direction of the length ofthe box, a base-wall l7, inclined at one end to clear the blade, theupper parallel side walls 18 18, disposed in the planes of or parallelto the broad sides (front and rear walls) of the box, and the wings 1919, having inwardlyturned edges which form a longitudinal slit orpassage 20 between them. The wall 16 has an extension 16, by which theframe may be seized should the same be withdrawn from the receptacle.The walls 15 16 form between them a compartment 21 for toothpicks, andthe wall 16 and the walls of the receptacle form a compartment 22 formatches. The wings 19 19 form a receptacle for the sliding block 23 ofthe corkscrew 24, the base 25 of the latter being pivoted between thelateral walls of the longitudinal groove 26, formed in said block,thepivotal pi n 27 of said corkscrew passing transversely through saidwalls 26 and base 25, the slot 28 in the base through which the pinpasses being elongated, so as to allow the base to be shoved back intoan opening or socket 29, formed in the block opposite the groove, andhold the corkscrew rigid after the same has been swung outwardly intoposition I forwithdrawing a cork. That the corkscrew maynot work tooloosely on its pivot the latter is passed through a spring-plate 30,inserted between one of the faces of the base 25 and the adjacent faceof one of the lateral walls of the groove. The block 23, with itscorkscrew, is inserted into the compartment formed by the wings from thebottom, with the point of the screw turned up, and when the lower edgeof the block is in its lowest position (resting as it does directly overthe burs 8 8) the point of the screw projects slightly above the framereferred to. To use the corkscrew, the operator pulls the same and theblock to which it is pivoted until the top of the block strikes thelimiting prongs or teeth 31, formed at the upper edge of the Wall 15,(the lid 2 of coilrse having previously been swung open.) The screwisthen swung outwardly at right angles to the adjacent edge or wall of thereceptacle, the base 25 is forced into the socket or opening 29, the lidis closed, and the screw is ready for use. It is to be understood thatthe edge wall of the box over which the free end of the lid closes(being the wall opposite the one to which the lid is hinged) is providedwith a recess 32 at its upper end to allow the corkscrew to be swungoutwardly, as already indicated. The upper edges of the walls 18 18 ofthe frame are continued in the shape of inwardly-turned lips 33 33,which snugly embrace the base of the tongue 10 below the shoulder 11.The upper edge of the frame when inserted fully into the box projects aslight distance beyond the adjacent edge of the box, the lid 2 closingover the parts and making for the whole a compact finish.

It is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the detailshere shown and described. For example, the wings 19 19 might be omitted,leaving the sliding block 23 to be guided between the wall 15 and thewalls of the receptacle. Other changes might be resorted to in the handsof a skilled mechanic Without departing from the spirit of ourinvention.

Having described our invention, what we claim is- 1. A box comprising areceptacle having a series of compartments, a lid at one end of the box,a corkscrew confined in one of the compartments and adapted to bewithdrawn in the direction toward'the lid, the latter be ing adapted toclose after the screw is swung outwardly, substantially as set forth.

2. A box comprisinga receptacle having a series of compartments, a lidat one end of the box, a corkscrew confined in'one of the outercompartments, and adapted to be withdrawn therefrom in the direction ofthe lid, the outer wall of the compartment having a recess formedtherein along the edge over which the lid closes through which thecorkscrew may be swung outwardly, substantially as set forth.

series of compartments, a lid at one end of the box, a corkscrewconfined in one of the compartments and adapted to be withdrawn in thedirection toward the lid, means for limiting the movement of the screwin the aforesaid direction, and means for locking the screw when swungoutward into position for use, substantially as set forth.

4. A suitable receptacle having a series of compartments, a lid hingedat one end and adapted to close said compartments, a knifeblade pivotedat the opposite end of the receptacle, a spring for actuating the bladein one direction, suitable tubes or burs between the edges of which theblade is adapted to pass and thus serve as a cutter, the fixed end ofthe spring being inserted between one of the burs and the end wall ofthe receptacle,

and means for keeping the contents of the compartments out of contactwith the knife, substantially as set forth.

5. A suitable receptacle, a compartment in the same for confining acorkscrew, a grooved block movable in said compartment, the base of thescrew being pivoted between the walls of the groove of said block, andhaving an elongated slot through which the pivotal pin of the screwpasses, and a socket or opening formed in the bottom wall of the groovefor receiving the base of the screw after the latter has been swungoutwardly at right angles to the direction of the groove substantiallyas set forth.

6. A suitable receptacle, a compartment in the same for confiningacorkscrew, a grooved block movable in said compartment, the base of thescrew being pivoted between the walls of the groove of said block, andhaving an elongated slot in the base of the screw for the passage of thepivotal pin of the screw, a socket in the basal wall of the groove forreceiving the base of the screw, and limiting prongs or walls forpreventing the withdrawal of the block from the compartment,substantially as set forth.

7. A suitable receptacle having a series of compartments, a lid at oneend closing the several compartments, a knife pivoted at the oppositeend, burs or tubes carried by the opposite front and rear walls, theadjacent edges of which I serve as shearing edges for the blade passingbetween them, a block in one of said compartments adapted to restagainst the burs when in its lowest position, a corkscrew secured tosaid block and normally pointing toward the end carrying the lid, and awall separating the bases of the remaining compartments from the blade,substantially as set forth.

8. In a match-box, a suitable receptacle, a lid hinged at one endthereof, a spring having one end secured along the inner surface of theupper wall or root of the lid, and a tongue or arm carried by the wallsof the receptacle against which the free end of the spring is adapted tobear during the swinging of the lid in either direction, substantiallyas set forth.

9. In a match-box, a suitable receptacle, a lid hinged at one endthereof, a spring having one end secured along the inner surface of theroof of the lid, a terminal hook at the free end of the spring, a tongueor arm carried by the receptacle-wall in the path of the spring andadapted to bear against the spring, a terminal shoulder forming a partof the tongue for engaging the hook of the spring and limiting theoutward swing of the lid, substantially as set forth.

10. In a match-box, a suitable receptacle, a lid hinged at one endthereof, a spring having one end secured along the inner surface of theroof of the lid, a terminal hook at the free end of the spring, a tongueformed integrally with the wall of the receptacle and engaging thesurface of the spring, a shoulder at the end of the tongue for engagingthe hook of the spring, a pivotal pin of the lid being carried at thebase of the tongue, the adjacent wall of the lid having a recess formedtherein for spanning the tongue when the lid returns to its closedposition, substantially as set forth.

11. In a match-box, a suitable receptacle, a frame forming a series ofcompartments in the same, the said frame comprising an outer and aninner division-wall running lengthwise of the receptacle, wingsdeflected outwardly from the outer division-wall, a basal wall extendingin the opposite direction to the wings, and two parallel upper wallsdisposed in the plane of the broad sides of the receptacle,substantially as set forth.

12. In a box, a spring having a fixed end, a head extending laterallybeyond the body of the spring located at the free end, a blade pivotedat one end, and having a toe or finger on one side of the pivotal point,and a recess on the other side of the pivot, adapted to be engaged bythe head of the spring aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

HENRY 0. PAUL. FRANK HILBiIG. Witnesses:

EMIL STAREK, G. L. BELFRY.

